Americas Zone Group I: Friday

NEWS ARTICLE

By

Laura Alejandra Rojas Gómez

Photo: Federico RuizEugenie Bouchard (CAN)

MEDELLIN, COLOMBIA: In Pool A, Canada and Colombia faced one another and they knew each other well having played three times before – in 1997 in Bogota, with a 2-0 result in favour of the Canadians, in 2008 in Medellin when Colombia won 2-1, and in 2010 in Paraguay with a victory for Canada 2-0.

This year, Catalina Castano, ranked No. 144 and Sharon Fichman (No. 139) renewed their rivalry from three years earlier, but today it was the Colombian who was defeated by the same scoreline and the same player, losing 61 75.

In the same way, Eugenie Bouchard, ranked No. 137 and a finalist at an ITF event in Toronto, overcame Mariana Duque 62 62. “I knew this match would be very difficult, but Bouchard played perfectly, she left nothing out there and I think this was one of the best days she’s had.”

In Pool B, Brazil took on Paraguay, having met 11 times in the past. Montserrat Gonzales and Paula Cristina Goncalves kicked off proceedings and this one went the way of the Brazilian 62 36 63.

In the second rubber, the two strongest players faced off: Paraguay’s Veronica Cepede Royg and Brazil’s No. 1 Teliana Pereira. It was another clash that went the way of Brazil 61 64 and by winning this one Brazil secured its place in the final against Canada.

“Brazil have played very well this tournament, we have played against Chile and we won 3-0, against Mexico we also won 3-0 and today we played against Paraguay, who were No. 1 in Pool B and hadn’t lost a tie. To play Canada will be very difficult and I think we will use the same line-up as today,” said coach Roberta Burzagli.

At the other end of proceedings, Chile’s Fernanda Brito took on the Mexican Marcela Zacarias, who has gained attention at the Country Club Ejecutivo for her childish looks, but came out triumphant in this one 46 60 64. The second rubber went the way of Ana Sofia Sanchez 62 62 against Andrea Koch.

Peru and Venezuela were left waiting to know who would be competing in the relegation play-off after the first rubber was won by Venezuela’s Andrea Gamiz 26 60 64 over Peruvian Katherine Miranda.

Patricia Ku equalled the tie with a 75 62 victory over Adriana Perez. To decide the tie the doubles rubber will need to be played but due to rain in Medellin that match will now be played on Saturday prior to the play-off matches beginning. Mexico awaits the loser of this tie to fight for survival in Americas Zone Group I.

Click the link below for more information about Americas Zone Group I, including individual results from each tie.